DeMoss, N. Star teammates weighing their college options
It's been over a month since St. Charles North's boys basketball season ended, but that doesn't mean the junior-dominated team hasn't been busy.
Leading scorer Jonathan DeMoss and his high school coach Tom Poulin recently made an unofficial visit to Miami of Ohio.
They also looked at Otterbein in Westerville, Ohio. Poulin's best friend played there and was an assistant coach there until this past season. Former North Star Erik Ellingson made the trip with DeMoss and Poulin and is interested in possibly transferring to Otterbein.
One of the highlights was stopping at Ohio State and Purdue on the trip. DeMoss' grandfather Bob is a former football coach and athletic director at Purdue, and Jonathan DeMoss and Ellingson were able to shoot baskets on the Mackey Center floor as part of their tour.
Other schools that have expressed interest in DeMoss include Ball State and Wisconsin Green-Bay.
His teammate at St. Charles North Nick Neari also is looking at colleges. Neari, who also was the North Stars quarterback this year, might try to find a school where he can play both football and basketball.
"He is the type of person that could do it," Poulin said. "He has had some interest from Northern Illinois for basketball, but mostly he has been contacted by a lot of Division II and III schools that seem to like the idea of him being a multi-sport athlete in college."
Both DeMoss and Neari along with teammate Mike Kastel will be playing at West Aurora Sunday in the Spring Showcase being put on by Hoops Mountain Midwest. There will be many Division II and Division III coaches in attendance.
Poulin said the recruiting process has been a lot easier because of the support both Neari and DeMoss are receiving from their parents.
"These two have the best parental backing and support I have ever seen," Poulin said. "Their parents are so dedicated, helpful and really want their son to find a place where he'll be happy, no matter the level. They are making sure they see all options and weigh the pros and cons."